I just finished my shift and I actually only had to work 5 days instead of 6 so it is really odd not being more worn out than normal. I worked an extra day for my friend Hannah a few weeks back so she called me on Thursday night before I came on duty that night and asked me if I wanted her to cover Friday for her...which was super nice because she worked both snow days then! So instead I didn't actually start my shift until Saturday night. And this week was actually pretty good compared to the past few weeks, especially last week. As I mentioned in my last few posts, we were having some issues with one of our girls and her not being able to stay at the cottage unless she follows our rules....well my update is that she left Grace on Sunday. It seems weird to me to not have that atmosphere in our cottage now, because the next few days after she left all of our other girls were in great spirits! It is almost like that negative energy that was lingering around left and they were free to enjoy things and the cottage.

And so my shift began Saturday and it was a very laid back day. With one girl gone on a home visit, I got up at 7am to get another one of our girls off for her day visit....so Becca and I had only 1 girl ALL day! It was fabulous. We just hung out together, finished our puzzle we had been working on for weeks and most exciting of them all I went out with her and took her senior pictures! Now I normally love taking pictures and never considered myself a "photographer" but I said I would give it my best shot...and not to be conceded but they turned out great! Not what I was expecting, but she is also very photogenic so that helped a lot! We spent over an hour...and 60 pictures later I was back at the computer editing them and having a great time! That consisted of most of our day and listening to music and just enjoying an empty house really. It was weird because today when I dropped off her pictures at the school I actually had to sign a waiver releasing the pictures since I took them....made me feel very official haha.

Sunday we went to Sunday School and church, it has been great being able to go to the same church every Sunday. I feel like I am really starting to adjust to life in Nebraska and get situated. Now if only I could get my license taken care of it would be even better! But all in due time...so for now I am paying 2 phone bills until I can prove I moved to a land of no signal for Tmobile. :p

Monday was probably one of the coolest days God has brought into my life for many reasons. So it was just a busy day in general with moving things and organizing paperwork around the cottage while the kids were at school, I also ran a girl to the dentist in the morning so I really got to have a good conversation with her about college coming up and just getting to hangout together and get to know one another just us. It was a wonderful few hours together. Then after I got back I dropped my blazer off at the shop because my back tires were making this squeeky noise....well I figured it was probably my brake pads but I wanted to be sure just in case since my vehicle is pretty old. Well turns out it was the problem...well he said it would be about 165 for labor and back brake pads. Luckily, we have a new staff here Andrew who offered to do them all I needed was the brake pads so it would be tons cheaper! So I called and told them that, and that I would be by to pick it up once they put the tires back on. Well, first cool thing besides Andrew being able to work on my car for free, the guy at the car shop Randy they know Grace really well and said if ever I needed work I could pay whenever I could...really nice things about small towns and working at a nonprofit....but that isn't even the coolest part! I drop by to pick up my truck and get in and there is a note...well Randy (the mechanic) went ahead and changed my back brake pads AND refinished the rotors....FREE!! He said him and his wife were going to cover the costs for me! How nice is that! They left the verse Proverbs 3:27 on there which said: "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." I mean how cool is that! It just continues to remind me how generous the people in this town are! That they are willing to cover car expenses simply because I am doing what God wants me to do....It just blows my mind how God always provides for you when you need it most and He places these people in your life to do good deeds. It just affirmed that God was pleased that I am here, and it confirms that I am indeed doing what God had planned me to do! It just makes me smile knowing that I am doing what He wants me to do in life. I want to find some way to thank Randy and his wife...I just haven't figured out what yet. Suggestions would be great!

On Tuesday, it was a bit of a rougher day. Two of our three girls started acting out for attention. One of the girls is leaving Grace for good next week on good terms and because of that she is at that point where she doesn't think she needs to listen to us anymore...which is bad because she is regressing to where she was when she came with not accepting authority and that is not a way to go back home! Then another girl just refused to do anything because she didn't think she had any need to...well she came around and ended up doing her consequences and having a good night and great day today! The one who is leaving is still struggling today with authority but she was in better spirits thankfully.

We had youth group tonight and Hannah and I went to Bible Study. We are starting a new video bible study called Beautiful Offerings, and it is focusing on the Sermon on the Mount and the beauty we as women have been created by in God and how we can glorify Him. It was an amazing first night and I am truly excited to start this bible study! It was a good end to my week which is always nice. I am looking forward to sleeping in the next few days, perhaps do some shopping with Caitlain in Grand Island if we are up for it. We shall see what is in store for these next three days but I shall keep you updated but for now I will say goodnight! Miss you all!